Dodgers News: Kenta Maeda Joining Quakes For Rehab Start Friday

The Los Angeles Dodgers have already cycled several players through High-A Rancho Cucamonga on rehab assignments, and the trend continues Friday night with Kenta Maeda taking the mound for the Quakes.

Maeda is expected to throw four innings or 60 pitches against the Visalia Rawhide (Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate) at LoanMart Field. Just like his DL stint, the rehab start will be the first of Maeda’s career.

“It’s been kind of a long layoff for Kenta,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “We talked to him, and he was open to [the rehab start].

“Some time next week he’ll be back in the rotation. It will be against the Cardinals, we’re just trying to decide which day.”

Los Angeles has an off day Monday, and Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to start Tuesday on five days’ rest. Maeda would be lined up to face the Cardinals on Wednesday, though the Dodgers could also hand the ball to Rich Hill or Hyun-Jin Ryu.

Maeda this season is 3-2 with a 5.03 ERA, 4.34 FIP and 1.17 WHIP in seven starts. He tossed a career-high 8.1 innings the night prior to landing on the disabled list. Roberts said the right-hander had pitched through hamstring tightness for multiple weeks.